Some got involved first, which will include interaction with second-grader, said the adults there “teached through other avenues. children with autism. Any interaction she has [him] how to draw and play music.” The Eunie Park, a graduate of UA with children will be useful. workers and volunteers attempted to provide with a psychology degree, is invested “After that, I’m also thinking of doing social an atmosphere for students to thrive in. If because of personal experience — she was not work at a school for children with specials they did so, they had done their job; it’s all diagnosed with autism until about the kids. age 25, so working with this “During the year and a population is special for her. half that I’ve been here, I’ve nce you put yourself in their She previously worked at a seen so many of them grow children’s center in position and you try to understand what it’s so much and get better and the autism unit, but, try new things, which is like, it opens you up to explore their when funding was cut, she always a big deal for all of decided to volunteer at them,” Morgan said. “One personality and just have a good time.” Arts ‘N Autism. of the little girls here — she “My parents weren’t given didn’t used to speak — and this opportunity. This wasn’t out there,” needs; I didn’t have any inclination of working during the time that I’ve been here, she started Park said. “I want to serve as an advocate — I to speak, so that was really, really cool. We’ve in a school before I started interacting with know how these kids feel, and I remember. got all kinds of fun people. This place is just these kids,” Morgan said. This is a wonderful program.” full of happiness.” Students at Arts ‘N Autism said they liked Some volunteers progress to paid a lot of activities they did there. Many of positions, though these are not easy to them echoed the same sentiment — they liked come by. Personnel decisions are integral to playing outside on the playground. Isaiah, a the proper function of the program, so, almost always, paid positions are only offered to volunteers. Alex Morgan, a junior UA Honors student majoring in social work, met the criteria for a staff spot: worked well with kids and stood out as a volunteer. Morgan began volunteering at Arts ‘N Autism during the second semester of her freshman year because a class required volunteer work, but she loved it so much that she stayed. Now, she teaches a Legos class and is a teacher’s assistant during the rest of her time there. Morgan said that her experience added a new dynamic to her future career plans. She hopes to go into child protective services
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